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Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) and knee osteoarthritis (OA) are highly prevalent and disabling conditions that cause societal and economic impact worldwide. Two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) will evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention for patients with LBP and knee OA who are overweight or obese. The key targets of this intervention are to improve physical activity, modify diet and correct pain beliefs. These factors may explain how a lifestyle intervention exerts its effects on key patient-relevant outcomes: pain, disability and quality of life. The aim of this protocol is to describe a planned analysis of a mechanism evaluation for a lifestyle intervention for overweight or obese patients with LBP and knee OA. Methods and analysis: Causal mediation analyses of 2 two-armed RCTs. Both trials are part of a cohort-multiple RCT, embedded in routine health service delivery. In each respective trial, 160 patients with LBP and 120 patients with knee OA waiting for orthopaedic consultation will be randomised to a lifestyle intervention, or to remain part of the original cohort. The intervention consists of education and advice about the benefits of weight loss and physical activity, and the Australian New South Wales Get Healthy Service. All outcome measures including patient characteristics, primary and alternative mediators, outcomes, and potential confounders will be measured at baseline (T0). The primary mediator, weight, will be measured at 6 months post randomisation; alternative mediators including diet, physical activity and pain beliefs will be measured at 6 weeks post randomisation. All outcomes (pain, disability and quality of life) will be measured at 6 months post randomisation. Data will be analysed using causal mediation analysis with sensitivity analyses for sequential ignorability. All mediation models were specified a priori before completing data collection and without prior knowledge about the effectiveness of the

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been studied extensively since their discovery and identification by Iijima in 1993. Their impressive mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties have created new fields of study, and the benefits of this research are just beginning to be realized. One potential use of CNTs is as a foundation for nanomachines. Another possible use, one that takes advantage of their mechanical properties, is the synthesis of high-strength, low-weight materials that could revolutionize infrastructure materials. A significant problem facing researchers for either of these applications is in finding techniques to engineer the load transfer between nanotubes. For applications in strong materials, maximizing the coupling between carbon nanotubes is important; for molecular machine applications, inducing relative motion and/or reducing friction between molecules is desired. In the simulations reported herein, we examined seven periodic tube bundles arranged in a horizontal closest packing (HCP) array using the Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) molecular dynamics code. The forces required to move the center tube through the bundle were recorded using the LAMMPS program. Each chirality type and diameter produced a different force function as the van der Waals forces 'rubbed' against each other. One property discovered through the simulations is that certain chirality combinations produce useful behavior during the pullout process. One such behavior is the ultra-low frictional resistance experienced by certain bundles, which could improve efficiency within nano-oscillators. Another discovery is the rotation induced by extraction, both in center tubes and in the outer tubes, which could serve as the foundation for a nanogear system. The final behavior involves removing the freedom of rotation within the system, which greatly increases the magnitude of load transfer during extraction., See also ADM002187. Presented at the Army Science Conference (26th) held in Orlando, FL on 1-4 December 2008. Published in the Proceedings of the Army Science Conference (26th), December 2008. The original document contains color images.

Improvements in construction materials have been evolutionary and not revolutionary. We are attempting to change this paradigm by exploiting the extreme properties of carbon nanotubes, and by designing materials at the molecular level using molecular-based predictive rheology. As an initial step, we have modeled pristine and defective (5,5) carbon nanotubes and a defective (10,5) carbon nanotube using Tight-Binding Molecular Dynamics. The (5,5) carbon nanotubes exhibited extraordinary tensile strengths and brittle failures in agreement with the findings of other researchers. Their strengths and Young's moduli were degraded by the molecular flaws. By contrast, the defective (10,5) carbon nanotube exhibited lower, but still extraordinary, tensile strength and post-yield toughness behavior many times greater than toughened 4340 Steel. Such toughness behavior is an important and beneficial material characteristic for construction materials., See also ADM002075. Presented at the Army Science Conference (25th) held in Orlando, Florida on 27-30 November 2006. The original document contains color images.

Availability: Pub in Proceedings of the Chemical Society, p195, Jun 1964.

Partly acylated ustilagic acids 8 (from Ustilago maydis (DC) Corda (= U. zeae Unger) PRL-119), consisting of partially esterified beta-cellobiosyl residues glucosidically linked to long-chain, hydroxylated fatty acids, and a mixture of partially acylated derivatives of 4-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl-D-erythritol from Ustilago sp. (probably U. nuda (Jens.) Rostr. = U. tritici (Pers.) Rostr.) PRL-627 were acetalated with methyl vinyl ether, deacylated, and methylated. Vigorous acid hydrolysis of a methylated 8 gave 2- and 6-O-methyl-D-glucose (11:9 molar ratio) corresponding to 2'- and 6-O-acyl substitution of the cellobiose residue. Graded acid hydrolysis of methylated 8 gave an O-methyl derivative (9) which yielded, on Smith degradation, glycerol and 4-O-methyl-D-erythritol. Comparison of the p.m.r. spectra of 8 and the product of its oxidation by lead tetraacetate suggested C-6 and C-2' as the locations of the acetate and hydroxy acid ester-groups, respectively. (Author), Revision of report dated 22 Aug 69.

The influence of the major constituents of a chemically defined nutritional medium on growth and sexuality of Pythium sp. PRL 2142 has been determined. Addition of cholesterol to the culture medium stimulated vegetative growth and the response to sterol was quantitative up to a maximum concentration of 60 mg of sterol per liter. The number of oospores produced was proportional to the concentration of sterol within limits determined by the carbon and nitrogen source. Glucose, fructose, maltose and cellobiose were suitable carbon sources for both growth and oospore production whilst alanine, arginine and asparagine proved suitable nitrogen sources. A carbon/nitrogen ratio in the range 15 to 30:1 was optimal for both growth and the production of oospores. Oospore production with asparagine as nitrogen source was at least three times greater than when alanine or arginine was supplied. (Author)

A cellulase and a laminaranase have been purified from a Streptomyces lytic enzyme complex. Lipase and protease were separated from glucanases. A combination of the purified glucanases produced 'protoplasts' from Pythium sp. PRL 2142. Lipase was shown to act as an adjuvant in this process. (Author)

Five inducible streptomycete lytic enzyme complexes were equally capable of producing protoplasts from a Pythium sp. strain PRL 2142, when compared on a quantitative basis. Both cellulase and laminaranase from various microbial sources were required to produce the protoplasts under standard conditions. Protease was not required; lipase shortened the survival time of protoplasts. It was concluded from an analysis of the products of enzymic hydrolyses that Pythium sp. PRL 2142 cell wall contained cellulose, beta-D-(1--3) glucan, and a beta-D-(1--3) glucan possessing D-glucose units attached by beta-(1--6)-linkages. (Author)

Roswell Willson Haskins writes Alden Partridge with the news that James McKay is to establish a school there, likely for both sexes and all ages, but incorporating as much of Partridge's system on education as possible., Transcription by Raymond Bouchard. Transcriptions may be subject to error.

Is interested in sending his son to the Academy; please send information. Includes a note of introduction from R. W. Haskins dated 25 April 1831.

Roswell Willson Haskins, Samuel Wilkeson, and David Burt write to Alden Partridge that they have heard he wishes to establish a branch of his A. L. S. & M. Academy in the western part of New York state; if so, please consider Buffalo, New York, as a location., Transcription by Joseph Byrne. Transcriptions may be subject to error.

A committee composed of Roswell Willson Haskins, R. B. Heacock, and M. A. Andrews write to Alden Partridge to explain that the citizens of Buffalo, New York, have decided to put their resources behind a high school, rather than a military academy., Transcription by Michelle Belmont. Transcriptions may be subject to error.